Device for holding a plurality of boxes while being bound together.



C. F. NORTON 6L M. S. WHALEY.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY 0F BOXES WHILE BEING BOUND TOGETHER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.3I. I9I4.

LIISQ. Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

S M INVENTORS WITNESS-:5% IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII y qd @Frm I ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Co.,wAsmNuToN, D. c.

C. F. NORTON I IVI. S. WHALEY.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY DF BOXES WHILE BEING OuND TOGETHER.

"m" Patented Dec. 28, 1915.`

APPLICATION FILED DEC.3|

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTO R N EY COLUMBIA PLANQGRMII co.. WASHINGTON, D'. c.

C. F. NORTON & IVI. S. WHALEY.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY 0F BOXES WHILE BEING BOUND TOGETHER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-31, |9I4` 1,1@6243 Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INV ENTOR MPZWW/ I ATTO RN EY commun PLANQGHANI co..w^sr||NOTnN. n. c.

' lfallFFgU Frtiidiilbiiif FFlB CHRSTOPHER F. NOB-TON, QF MERRTT, ANI) MARION S. VJHALEY, 0F COURTENAY,

' FLCRIDA.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING A PLURALITE( 0F BOXES WHILE BEING BOUND TOGETHER.

Speelication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, iil.

Application filed December 31, 1914.. Serial No. 879,941.

1 o all lwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, Ciinis'roriinn F. Non- 'rox and MARION S. Ni-mmv, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at Merritt and Courtenay, in the county of Brevard and State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Device for Holding a Flurality of Boxes While Being Bound Together, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention has reference to devices 'or holding boxes while being bound toether, and its object is'to provide a means whereby two boxes may be heldin firm en ffagement, and while in suchv related posiion may be tiuned about a common axis Aor facilitating the application of bands for e'aining the boxes bound together in pairs.

.in accordance with the present invention there is provided a clamping means whereby two boxes or crates or the like are irinly clamped together in face to face relation, and these clamps are so mounted that the boxes they clamp together may be revolved about a common axis while encircling bands are applied to secure the two boxes in the face to face relation against liability of displacement.

lt is customary to ship certain kinds yof fruit, say tangerines, in boxes having paneled ends or grooved or projecting ends, and while the present vinvention is adapted to other boxes or containers it is particularly adapted to the type of container named. By securing two such boxes in face to face engagcment, and then encircling them by a suitable number of retaining bands, the shipment of the boxes is greatly facilitated. Certain fruits, of which tangerines may be taken as an example, arepacked in relatively shallow boxes, and it is the custom to secure two of these boxes together so that their cross-sectional area is .approximately a square, .wherefore two boxes are as readily handled as one. 1

he invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the further `understanding that while thedrawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter not conined to 'any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so long as such.

purposes of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the structure of Fig. l as viewed from the right hand side thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the left hand vend of Fig. l with some parts shown in elevation. Fig. l is a perspective view of one of-the clamp heads. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a machine of more elabcrate construction than that of Fig. l, butI designed. for the saine purpose. Fig'. 6 is an end elevation of the structure of Fig. 5 as seen from the right hand end. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 with some front of the line of section also shown, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section through one ofthe clamp structures shown in Fig. 5. F ig, 9 is an elevation of one of the clamp `structures of the machine of Fig. 5 as viewed 'from the right hand end of Fig. 8. Figs. l0

and l1 are perspective views of diiferent forms of clam 3 heads which ma be used in l .V place of those shown in the other figures.

Referring to the drawings, and more pari.

ticularly. to Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, there is shown a table or bench lprovided with supporting legs 2, .and this table or bench may be taken yas indicativeof any suitable supthereof are journalboxes 3 for a shaft 4C extending` 'lengthwise ofthe table-` and beyond the ends thereof, and there having angle exthe upper surface of the table, these angle extensions or arms 5 being in substantial parallelism. At the free end` of each arm 5 there is formed a boss 6 having a passage one end ofthe spindle 8 it is formed with divergent., arms 9, each of which nearits free end is provided with a tapped Dassag 10 for a screw il, which for convenience of 'port for `apparatus to be described. Fast to Y VAtheunder side of the table l near the ends tensions 5 so arranged as to proiect above 7 therethrough f or a stem or spindle 8. At`

ioo

' .iliangeultion may be iii the iter-ai ai a.

height than width.

thumb screw. The spindle 8 is so mounted in the boss 6 that it may slide lengthwise thereof, and the tapped passages 10 are so related to the longitudinal axis of the spindleS that the longitudinal axes of the screws 11 if prolonged toward each other would ultimately intersect each other and a prolongation ofthe longitudinal axis of the spindle 8.-

The table 1 is provided with stop strips 12'on its upper face designed to receive and locate boxes 13 with respectV to the axes of the spindles 8. Theseboxes, which may be either boxes or crates, are, in the particular showing of the drawings, provided with panel ends 14 havingoutstanding marginal bordering strips 15. Such boxes, and especially those used for the reception and transportation of tangerines, are of Aoblong shape and rectangular crosslsection, and are of less Two such boxes piled one en top of the other in face to face relationv have a combined cross-sectional area in shape 'approaching that of 'a square and when two Vsuch boxes jare piled one on top of the other with the `faces in contact adjacent marginal |strips 15 of the end panels 14 are inclose relation. The combined height 'of two such strips is less than the distance between the approaching ends of the screws 11 when these screws 'are in the retracted position, whereupon the divergent or yoke ends 9 of each spindle 8 may be brought into close relation to the webs of the respective panels 14 at 'each end of the boxes, which latter areat :the time assumed tobe located on the table 1 in proper position determined by the strips 12. a The length of each spindle 8 and ofthe divergent arms v9 constituting clamp heads, Vas will hereinafter appear, is such that theclamp heads may be separated sufficiently to admit the introduction of the boxes between them, and thereafter be approached so that the free ends of the arms 9 enter the panels 14. Now by manipulating 4the thumb screws 11 they are brought into vfoot 116e. -Tha'tyV end of the lever 17 remote from the nose 18 has a counter-weight 20 tending to keep/the nose end in the elevated positiona stop pin QZdetermining such position. The end of the lever 17 provided withfthernose 18 -has a prolongation 21'suitvably inclined or'tapered so that when the leg V`16"'s "moved 'toward'I the latch' lever the toe 19will ride along the inclined end 21 until it is caught by the nose 18, whereby the rock shaft 4 is locked in a certain position. To release the rock shaft the operator depresses the end 21 of the lever 17.

In the normal or inoperative position of the parts the leg 1G is unlatched, thus permitting a rocking movement of the shaft 4 suticient to permit the securing of the clamp ends 9 to the boxes 13 after the latter have been piled one on the other on the table 1. Now a suitable pressure applied upon the foot 16a will cause the lifting of the clamped boxes free from the table where they are held by the latching of the leg 16 by the i latch lever 17. This elevation or lifting of the two boxes clamped together is enough to cause these boxes to clear the table sutliciently to permit the rotation of the boxes with the spindles 8 in the bearings 6, these two spindles being in axial alinement. l ith the parts in the position just described, the boxes are readily bound together by straps or bands passed about the boxes and secured in any appropriate manner. The boxes when supported in the elevated position are rotatable without ditliculty about the longitudinal axis of the spindles 8, which spindles then constitute trunnions for the boxes. l/Vhen the boxes have been appropriately banded or bound the leg 16 may be released from the latch lever 17 and the boxes allowed to again move on to the table, after which the thumb screws are manipulated to release the boxes and the clamp heads are moved away from the ends of the boxes. N ow the bound boxes are ready for removal from the table, which operation may then be performed and two other boxes are placed upon the table to be bound together in the manner described.

With the apparatus of the present invention as shown in Fig. 1 and associated iigures, the binding of the boxes is expeditiously performed, and these boxes are firmly held together during the banding operation and, therefore, are not liable to loosen one with respect to the other during subsequent handling incident to shipment.

The apparatus described has the advantage of clamping two boxes in firm intimate relation against liability of displacement during the banding operation, and not only permitting the application of the bands with the greatest facility, but permitting such application in a manner which precludes the lability of future accidental separation of the boxes one from the other, or any noticeable loosening of one with respect to the other.

The apparatus described with reference to F ig. 1 and associated figures is a very sim- Sil ifi)

plified form of the apparatus, but is sulicient to illustrate the general principles upon'whleh the present invention is based.

While the apparatus of Fig. l and associated figures will successfully perform the work for which it is designed, such work may be more readily performed by a somewhat more elaborate embodiment of theinventirn such as is disclosed in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, Figs. l0 and ll illustrating modiications of certain portions of the structure of Fig. 5 and associated figures. In the structure of Figs. 5 to 9 there is provided a table la with legs 2a which may be quite similar to the table structure of Fig. l and associated figures. rlhis table structure is provided on its upper face with spacing strips 12"L and back stops l2b which may be high enough to serve as back stops for the upper one of the two superposed boxes 13, thereby positioning both boxes so far as front to rear movements are concerned. lnstead of a single shaft 4 the structure of Fig. 5 includes two alined rock shafts 23 provided. with spaced bearings 24 fast to the under face of the table la. Each shaft 23 extends beyond a respective end of the table l and is there provided or formed with an angle arm like the arm 5 of Fig. l. The other end of each shaft 23 is formed into a leg extension 26 dropping below the level of the table l into convenient reach of a foot of an operator standing in front of the table, and one of these legs terminates in a foot 27. Adjacent to the foot 27 the corresponding leg 26 has spaced lingers 28 formed on or fast thereto in position to straddle the other leg 26 near its lower end. These straddling fingers 28 are of suiiicient length to permit longitudinal movements of the shafts 23 in opposite directions without escape of the two legs from engaging relation one with the other. Fast to the floor or other support upon which the device of Fig. 5 is located is a latch 29 having one end provided with a pivot support 30 and the other end formed with a `tapering prolongation 3l underridden by a spring 32 tending to raise the corresponding end of the latch. At an appropriate intermediate point the latch 29 has a shoulder 33 in the path of a tooth 34 on the foot end of the leg 26 provided with the foot 27.

Fast to or formed on one of the bearings 24 is a depending angle bracket 35 in which is mounted a rock arm 36 about midway of its length. Said arm has one end formed into a yoke 37 straddling one of the rock shafts 23 and provided with trunnion pins 38 engaging between spaced collars 39 of the shaft. The rock arm 36 has formed on it or made fast to it a manipulating handle 40 extending under the table to some convenient point. rl`hat end of the rock arm 36 remote from the yoke 37 is connected to one end of a link 4l, the other end of which is bifurcated as shown atV 42 and provided with trunnion pins 43 engaging between spaced collars 44 on the other rock shaft 23. The arrangement is such that on a suitable movement of the manipulating arm 40 the rock arln 36 is so moved that the shafts 23 are actuated in their bearings toward or from each other, causingpa corresponding approach or separation of the legs 26. This longitudinal movement of approach and recession of the shafts 23 does not at all interfere with the rocking of these shafts by means of one of the legs 26 having the foot 27.

Fach arm 25 of the rock shafts 23 terminates at its free end in an elongated journal bearing 45 in which is mounted a spindle 46. Each journal bearing 45 is longitudinally split along one side and there provided with ears 47 traversed by a bolt or screw 48, whereby the ears may be caused to approach to correspondingly reduce the diameter of the journal bearing, so that it may be made to bear with appropriate force upon the spindle 46 and thereby act after the manner of a brake.

That end of the spindle 46 toward the other spindle, and therefore the end that may be termed the inner end of the spindle, carries a plate or shield 49 terminating in angle ends 50 in approximately parallel relation one to the other. The end of each spindle 46 which may be termed the outer end, has a collar 51 applied thereto to hold the spindle in the journalbearing against longitudinal movement, but permitting rotative movement of the spindle.

Each spindle 46 with its plate or frame 49, 50 constitutes with parts carried thereby a clamp head, and each clamp head is provided with two clamp devices on opposite sides of an axial plane perpendicular to the ends or wings 50 of the plate 49. (in opposite sides of such a mid plane each wing 50 is provided with pairs of ears 5la each pair having pivoted therebetween one end of a link 52, the other end of which is bifurcated as shown at 53. Pivoted in the bifurcated end of each link 52 is a clamp lever or arm 54, the pivot of the lever being about midway of its length. At one end of each lever 54 there is pivoted thereto a screw pin 55. Each clamp head includes two pairs of clamp levers 54, said pairs of levers being disposed on opposite sides of the axial plane before referred to. The screw pins of each pair are united by a turn buckle 56. Midway of the length of the turn buckle 56 it is provided with a transverse passage through which there is introduced a pin or rod 57 threaded at one end into a corresponding portion of the plate 49. Between the turn buckle and the plate the rod 57 is surrounded by a spring 5S. By a suitable manipulation ofthe turn buckle 56 when the rod 57 is not present, those ends of the levers 54 carrying the screw pins may be made to approach 'or recede. :voekrlgthe levers 54 so that los ilo

their other ends are correspondingly adjusted. VWhen this is accomplished the pin 57 is introduced through the turn buckle and screwed into the plate 49 with the spring 5S in the interposed position tending to move the turn buckle and the levers so that the point of connection of the links 52 with the levers is farther away from the main body of the plate 49 than are the pairs of ears 51a. Now any force applied to the outer ends of the clamp levers 54 tending to move these levers toward the plate 49 will cause those portions of the levers pivoted to the links 52 to approach. This causes a still greater movement of approach of the outer ends of the levers Finally the movement of the levers 54 toward the plate 49 carries the pivot points of the levers 54 with the links 52 beyond the dead center line of the links so that if the outer ends of the clamp levers 54l be then so heldA that they cannot approach, they become locked in the new position because the links 52 have passed the dead eenter line of their approach toward the plate 49'. The structure is such that the links 52 and the levers 54 operate after the manner of toggles and the clamp structure therefore becomes a toggle clamp structure.

In Figs. 5 to 9 the levers 54 have their outer ends plain and straight. ln Fig. l0 one of these levers is shown as provided with a toothed engaging face 59. ln Fig. ll one of these levers is shown as provided with a T head 60, but otherwise the levers 54 of Figs. l0 and 11 are the same as in Figs. 5 to 9. It will be understood, however, that the examples given are sufficient to show that the engaging or clamping ends of the levers may be quite widely varied in construction, While still within the scope of the present invention. n

If it be assumed that the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 7 with the rock `shafts 23 separated and the clamp heads 49 similarly separated, two superposed boxes .13 are readily placed upon the table in the centralized position in which they are `held by the strips l2n and stops l2". The rock shafts are assumed to be in the Aposition shown in F ig. 6, that is, with the foot 27 released from the latch 29 and the legs 26 swung forwardly thus bringing the clamp heads 49 approximately opposite the correspending ends of the superposed boxes 13 upon the table la. In this position of the parts the outer or clamp ends of the clamp levers 54 are in the widely separated `position, and this separation is greater than the combined thickness of the neighboring end panel strips 15 of the boxes 13. l

Now'by a lsuitable manipulation of the handle or lever 40 the arm is rocked upon its 'support in va-manner to cause the rock 'shafts Q3 to' approach ,one toward the other Without 'however vroc ingifthese` shafts.

frlitlisst .l

This approaching movement causes the clamp heads to similarly approach until the free ends of the clamp levers engage corresponding faces of the end panels of the boxes on respectively opposite sides of the neighboring strips 15. The position of the parts just prior to such engagement is shown in Fig. S. As soon as the clamp levers 54 engage the boxes, further movement in the direction of approach of the levers is prevented and consequently further movement of the clamp heads causes a rocking movement of the links 52, which because of their toggle relation to the levers rock the latter toward each other and consequently toward` the neighboring strips 15. Those ends of the levers 5-lremote from the ends engaging the box ends retain their relation one to the other because of the turn buckle, but this buckle moves upon the rod 57 coinpressing the spring 58. rThe result is that the clamping ends of the levers a4- engage the strips 15 with great force. The. approaching movement of the clamps continues until the links 52 have passed the dead center line, at which time the spring 58 is greatly compressed, and then the links 52 swing into angular or toggle relation to the Adead center line on the side thereof remote from the clamp boxes. The clamps are now in rm clamping relation to the boxes, so that in subsequent operations the proper relation of the boxes one to the other is not disturbed. lVith the boxes in the clamped position the legs 26 are forced bv the foot of the operator toward the latch 29, thus rocking the clamped boxes away from the surface of the table and at the same time elevating them sufficiently to permit the boxes to rotate upon the trunnion supports formed by the spindles 4G. The clamped boxes may then be banded together in the manner already described. After the boxes are appropriately joined by bands they are again returned to the table bv releasing the legs 26 from the latch 29 and the lever or handle 40 is then operated to again separate the shafts 23 which results in a return of the clamp levers 54 to their first position, which movement is facilitated bv the action of the springs 5S as soon as the toggle links 52 reach the dead center line. The banded boxes are then removed from the table and two other boxes placed thereon to be bound in the manner alreadv described.

The two examples given of the box clamping and holding device for banding the boxes are suflicient to demonstrate that the invention is susceptible of various modifications so long as the boxes are clamped together in position to retain their relation while being rotated about a common axis permitting the applications of bands about the boxes to secure them firmly together dialoilitygof k.disturbance under the conditions incident to transportation and storage. F or there reasons the invention is not at all confined to any exact conformity with the showings of the drawings, and it will be understood that in many ways the sequence of operations may be varied and the Vmechanisms employed may likewise be varied, while the general vprinciples upon which the invention is based remain the same.

rlhe term box as used herein is intended to be interpreted as meaning any closure or container for an article or articles or any similar structure of which a plurality are to be bound or wrapped into compact form in substantially the manner herein described. The terms band and banding are likewise to be given a broad interpretation as including any suitable means for holding the boxes together whether such means be a flat metal or other strip or a wire or other strand or staples or the like. Furthermore, while the clamps have been described as movable by rock shafts toward andv from the table or support for the boxes, otherarrangements for producing a relative movement of the clamped boxes `and table may be employed. rlhe fruit boxes for which the present invention is especially designedmay be described as having a top, bottom, sides and ends and the top, bottom and sides may be referred to as faces. For this reason the expression face to face as used throughout the description is intended to mean that the tops, bottoms or sides of the boxes rather than the ends are brought into engagement. Under some circumstances the top faces of two boxes may be brought into face to face engagement or the bottom faces may be so arranged, or the side faces may be so arranged, or in some cases the bottom of one box may be placed on the top of another box.

In packing oranges, grapefruit and tangerines what is known as the swell pack is employed. By this expression is meant that the boxes are filled so full of fruit that the cover cannot be forced down atythe middle of the box, wherefore it swells from the ends toward the middle. lf two such boxes be placed in top to top engagement, the ends will be separated by perhaps an inch, but if they be placed in bottom to bottom engagement they will rest flat one on the other. ln either case end strips l5 of the two boxes are closely adiacent,.althoughif the boxes were placed with the swell tops against each other the neighboring end strips l5 would be more separated than in the case where the flat bottoms of the boxes are placed in face to face engagement. If in the case of swell pack the tops of the boxes be placed in face to face engagement they are not squeezed so tightly together as to obliterate swell, but when placed-with the bottoms together such bottom portions will be in contact, the

full length. The term face to faceis there fore intended to cover any relation'of the boxes where the tops, bottoms or sides are brought into engagement preparatory to applying the retaining bands.

`What is claimed is l. A means for holding a plurality of boxes in close association while the boxes are being fastened together, comprising spaced opposed clamps rotatable about a common axis and provided with means for forcing the boxes into face to face contact and there holding them while being rotated upon said common axis.

2. A means for holding a plurality of boxes together in close association while being banded together, comprising spaced opposed clamps rotatable about a common axis and movable toward and from each other, said clamps having means for producing oppositely acting resultant pressures upon the-boxes in directions substantially perpendicular to the first-named movements of the clamps.

3. fr means for holding a plurality of boxes in close association while being fastened together', comprising opposed spaced clamps rotatable about a common axis and provided with means for forcing said boxes together into face to face contact and so holding them while being rotated upon said common axis, and said clamps being also mounted for orbital movement about an axis eccentric to the common axis of rotation.

ll. A means for holding two boxes in face to face contact for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with the contacting faces, consisting of two opposed spaced clamps movable toward and from each other and each provided with means for engaging the respective ends of the boxes and applying force thereto in directions toward the plane of the contacting faces.

5. A means for holding two similar boxes in face to face'contact while being fastened together, comprising two opposed rotatable clamps having means for engaging the end portions ofthe associated boxes and applying pressure to said boxes in directions to bring the adjacent faces into firm contact, and means for supporting the clamps with the boxes between them in position to permit the rotation of the clamped associated boxes about a common axis.`

.6. A means for holding two similar boxes having end panels with the boxes in face to face contact, comprising two spaced rotatable opposed clamps movable one toward the other and each provided with means for engaging neighboring projecting portions of the panel ends of the associated boxes and applying force thereto in directions to hold the boxes in face to face contact, and supporting means for the clamps whereby ilo las

the boxesinay be rotated about a common axis substantially coincident with their contact faces.

7, A means for facilitating the fastening together of two boxes-in face to face contact, comprisinga support upon which the V tially coincident with the meeting faces of the boxes, said clamps having means for applying pressure to the end portions of the boxes in directions to force the contacting faces into close relation andl to there hold them, and means lfor producing a relative movement between the clamps with the boxes-held thereby and the means for initially supportingthe boxes.

18. Ameans for supporting a plurality of boxes'in close association and in position for rotation to facilitate the application of'fastening bands thereto, Ycomprising a table or support for holding the boxes, opposed spaced rotatable clamps mounted on the table'for rotation about a common axis and movable lengthwise of such axisinto and out of engagement with the boxes, said clamps having means for applying pressure to the boxes in'directions to force them into and hold them in face to face contact, and supports for the clamps movable in directions to cause the clamps when engaging the boxes to move said boxes away from the supporting table.

9. A means for holding a plurality of boxes in close association while being banded together, comprising a table for supportingy the boxes, opposed clamps rotatable about a common axis, and movable length- Wise of said axis into and out of engagement with the associated boxes when on the table, said clamps having means thereon for applying pressure to the associated boxes in directions to force their contacting faces close rtogether and there holding them, and rock-able means carrying the clamps and related to the table to lift the clamped boxes away from the table for a distance permitting rotative movements of the boxes about the common axis of rotation of the clamps.

10. A means for holding la plurality of boxes in close association while being banded together, comprising a table for supporting the boxes, opposed clamps rotatable about a common axis and movable length- Wise of said axis into and out-of engagement With the associated boxes when on the table, said clamps having means thereon'for applying pressure tothe associated boxes in directions to force their contacting faces close together and there holding them, and rockable means ycarrying the clamps and related to the table to lift the clamped boxes away from the table for a distance permitting rotative movements of the boxes about the common axis of rotation of the clamps, said rockable means having means for holding it in the position to which it has moved to carry the boxes away from the supporting table.

ll. A means for forcing two associated boxes into face to face contact and there holding them, comprising opposed clamps positioned to engage the end Jortions of the associated boxes, said clamps eing movable toward and from each other and the boxes when lodged between the clamps, and said clamps having means for engaging the end portions of the boxes and movable with re` spect thereto to force the boxes into and hold them in firm face to face contact.

12. A means for engaging and holding boxes in close face to face association and supporting them for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with the contacting faces, comprising opposed clamps rotatable about a common axis with each clamp movable toward and from the other, each clamp being provided with clamp members mounted for movement toward and from each other in direct-ions perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the clamp, and toggle means for effecting the clamping movement of said clamping members.

13. A means for holding a plurality of boxes in close association while being banded together, comprising opposed rotatable clamps in line one with the other and having a common axis of rotation, said clamps being movable one toward the other along the common axis of rotation and each clamp comprising a head member, rockable clamp arms, toggle connections between the clamp head and the arms, and a yieldable support for the clamp arms along which they may move in the direction of the axis of rotation, whereby such movement causes a movement of the clamp arms toward or from each other in accordance with the direction of such movement.

lll. A means for holding a plurality of boxes in close association while being fastened together, comprising opposed clamps rotatable about a common axis and movable one toward the other, and each clamp comprising a clamp head, clamp arms pivctally connected together at one end and with the other ends constituting the clamping ends, link connections between the clamp head and intermediate portions of the arms, and yieldable means in the path of the arms having a normal tendency to move the arms in a direction away from the clamp head.

15. A means for holdinga pluality of boxes in close association while being fastened together, comprising opposed clamps rotatable about a common axis and movable one toward and from the other, each clamp comprising a clamp head, clamp arms having clamping ends movable one toward the other', an adjustable connection for the other ends of the arms, and toggle links connecting the arms to the clamp head, said arms having a range of movement to carry the links to each side of the dead center line of said links.

1G. A means for holding a plurality7 of boxes in close association while being fastened together, comprising opposed rotatable clamp heads having a common axis of rotation and movable lengthwise thereof, each clamp head being provided with opposed clamp arms movable in directions perpendicular to the direction of movement of the clamp head lengthwise of its axis of rotation, turn-buckle pivotal connections between one end of the arms, toggle-link supports for the arms connected thereto intermediate of the ends of the arms, and elastic means between the turn buckle and the clamp head for imparting to the arms a normal projecting tendency.

17. A means for holding a plurality of boxes in close association while being fastened together, comprising opposed rotatable clamp heads having a common axis of rotation and movable lengthwise thereof, each clamp head being provided with opposed clamp arms movable in directions perpendicular to the direction of movement of the clamp head lengthwise of its axis of rotation, tuin-buckle connections between one end o'f the arms, toggle-link supports for the arms connected thereto intermediate of the ends of the arms, and elastic means between the turn buckle and the clamp head for imparting to the arms a normal projecting tendency, said. elastic means comprising a spring and a supporting pin therefor, and the turn buckle having a passage therethrough for the pin to lock the turn buckle in adjusted positions.

18. A means for holding a plurality of boxes in close face to face association while being fastened together, comprising a table for receiving the boxes, alined rock shafts journaled to the table, clamps carried by the outer ends of the rock shafts and rotatable about a common axis, each clamp being pro` vided with clamp jaws movable toward and from each other in directions substantially perpendicular to the plane of the meeting faces of the boxes when clamped together, and means for moving the rock shafts lengthwise in opposite directions lengthwise of said shaft.

19. A means for holding a plurality of boxes in close face to face association while being fastened together, comprising a table for receiving the boxes, alined rock shafts j ournaled to the table, clamps carried by the outer ends of the rock shafts and rotatable about a common axis, each clamp being provided with clamp jaws movable toward and from each other in directions substantially perpendicular to the plane of the meeting faces of the boxes when clamped together, and means for moving the vrock shafts lengthwise in opposite directions lengthwise of said shaft, said rock shafts being provided with manipulating extensions with a slidable connection between them for imparting rocking movements to both rock shafts simultaneously.

20. A machine for facilitating the banding together of a pair of like boxes having ends with projecting portions thereon, comprising a table with positioning means for locating the boxes in superposed relation, alined rock shafts j ournaled to the table and provided with angle arms at the outer ends terminating in journal bearings, clamp heads provided with spindles mounted in the journal bearings, clamp jaws mounted in the clamp heads and provided with means for causing movements of the jaws into clamping relation to projecting portions of the boxes in directions substantially perpendicular to the plane of the meeting faces of said boxes, means for moving the rock shafts toward and from each other in the direction of the length of the rock shaft-s, and means for imparting rocking movements to the rock shafts.

In testimony, that we claim the foregoing as our own, we have hereto afixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

CHRISTOPHER F. NURTON. MARION S. VVHALEY. Vitnesses:

Len Gmoan,

R. N. ANDREWS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

